How to Verify Arch Linux ISO File: Easy and Safe Steps for New Users

Downloading the Arch Linux ISO from the official source is the first step to begin installation, but verifying the ISO file is an important process to ensure that the downloaded file is indeed safe and authentic. In this article, we will detail the step-by-step process of verifying the Arch Linux ISO file so you can feel confident and secure when using it.

What Is ISO Verification?

ISO verification is the process of ensuring that the file you downloaded hasn’t been modified or damaged during the download process. Verification is done by comparing the checksum of your ISO file with the official checksum provided by Arch Linux. This helps to ensure that the ISO file hasn’t undergone any malicious modification.

How to Verify the Arch Linux ISO File

Here is an easy guide to verifying the Arch Linux ISO file. Make sure to follow each step carefully.

1. Download the Official ISO and Checksum Files

Before verifying, make sure you have downloaded the following two files from the official Arch Linux website:

ISO File: The Arch Linux installation file (e.g., archlinux-version.iso).
Checksum File: Usually a .sig file containing the checksum information for the ISO file.
Create a New File: Open a text editor and add the SHA256 checksum and ISO file name, for example, archlinux-version.iso.

note

bceb3dded8935c1d3521c475a69ae557e082839b46d921c8b400524470b5c965 archlinux-2024.11.01-x86_64.iso

Place the three files above in a single folder.

Note:
Ensure you only download files from the official Arch Linux website for security purposes.

2. Install GnuPG (If Not Already Installed)

GnuPG (GPG) is a tool typically used for file verification. If you don’t have it, install it with the following command:

For Arch Linux:

bash

sudo pacman -S gnupg

For Debian/Ubuntu:

bash

sudo apt install gnupg

For Fedora/Red Hat:

bash

sudo dnf install gnupg

3. Verify Checksum with GPG

3.1 Verify SHA256

Open the console and run the following command:

bash

sha256sum -c sha.txt

3.2 Verify the ISO File with GPG

Next, run the following command to verify the .sig file:

bash

gpg –keyserver-options auto-key-retrieve –verify archlinux-version-x86_64.iso.sig

signature 1 — A successful verification shows “Good Signature from ‘Developers'”.

(Optional) You can also use the following command:

bash

gpg –verify archlinux-2024.11.01-x86_64.iso.sig archlinux-2024.11.01-x86_64.iso

signature 2 — The result also shows “Good Signature from ‘Developers'”.

Conclusion

Verifying the Arch Linux ISO file is an important step that is often overlooked, but it’s highly beneficial to ensure that the ISO file you downloaded is genuine and secure. Proper verification helps prevent potential security issues or installation failures.

Once your ISO file has been successfully verified, you are now ready to proceed with the installation of Arch Linux, confident in the authenticity and integrity of your system image.